Mercury and Tremor

by Dr. Jeffrey Dach MD

Dr. Dach is an alternative physician practicing in South Florida.

(I have had similar experience many times in people with “essential tremor” who were mercury toxic.)

Jim, a 53 year old violinist presented with a chief complaint of hand tremor. He is unable to hold the violin bow steady and lost his job with the symphony. A number of neurologists examined Jim, and told him he has an “essential tremor of unknown etiology”, which means there is no known cause.

Upper left image: dental amalgams contain 50% mercury, courtesy of wikimedia commons.

What is Causing the Tremor?

Since Jim’s neurologists had ruled out the common neurologic disorders, the diagnosis of environmental toxicity from mercury exposure was the obvious one to consider. Indeed, Jim’s mouth was full of mercury dental fillings (see upper left image).

“Silver” dental fillings, also called amalgams, contain 50% mercury.(1-6) Autopsy studies reveal the number of amalgam fillings corresponds with the amount of mercury deposited in the brain and other tissues. (6) Higher mercury deposits in the brain are found with greater numbers of “silver” dental fillings. (6) In addition, animal and human studies show that mercury toxicity causes tremor. Could the mercury dental fillings be the source of mercury causing Jim’s tremor?

Mercury Causes Tremor in Rabbits

A 1971 study by Dr Fukuda in the British Journal of Industrial Medicine showed that rabbits exposed to mercury vapor developed tremor and involuntary muscle movements/jerks (also called clonus ). (1)

Mercury Causes Tremor in Humans- with Occupational Exposure

A 1983 report by Dr. Fawer measured hand tremor with an instrument called an “accelerometer” in factory workers exposed to mercury. The authors found the frequency of tremors higher in the mercury exposed men compared to controls. And, the severity of tremor was related to the duration of exposure to mercury. The authors suggested that the tremors might result from the tendency of metallic mercury to accumulate in the cerebellum and the basal ganglia of the brain.(2) A 1986 study by Dr Verberk used a “tremor meter” to quantify tremor in 21 workers in a in a flourescent lamp factory. (3) They also measured urinary mercury excretion in the workers. With increasing mercury excretion in urine samples, there was increased acceleration of the tremor, and increased score on the “tremor-meter”. The study suggested that even low levels of mercury exposure could cause tremor, which correlates with the amount of mercury excretion in the urine.(3)

These findings were replicated in a 2001 study by Dr. McCullough using a computerized system for measuring hand tremor in mercury exposed workers. (4) McCullough also measured urinary mercury excretion, and he found increased tremor correlating with higher levels of mercury in the urine.

Above image: Navy dentist placing mercury dental amalgam courtesy of wikimedia commons.

ADA Claims that Dental Amalgams – Mercury Fillings Are Safe

The Amercian Dental Association has maintained in various position statements that mercury dental amalgams are safe and do not cause health problems.(11) We know from current medical research that this is not true. Mercury from dental amalgams is inhaled as mercury vapor and can be recovered in various body tissues and fluids.(5)(28)(34)

The ADA Statement on Dental Amalgam: (August 2009)
“Dental amalgam is considered a safe, affordable and durable material that has been used to restore the teeth of more than 100 million Americans. It contains a mixture of metals such as silver, copper and tin, in addition to mercury, which binds these components into a hard, stable and safe substance. Dental amalgam has been studied and reviewed extensively, and has established a record of safety and effectiveness.” (11)

As we will see below, this ADA statement is nothing more than wishful thinking, intended to protect the financial interests of the dental industry.(13-14)

The FDA Contradicts the ADA
The FDA issued a statement in 2009 on dental amalgams which contradicted the ADA position. The FDA white paper admits that mercury vapor gas is emitted from dental amalgams, is then inhaled, and absorbed by the lungs. The inhaled mercury is then deposited in various tissues including the brain and then appears in the urine as increased urinary excretion of mercury. All of this was demonstrated by a large body of science. However, after admitting all that, the FDA then concludes that the level of mercury in the body coming from dental amalgams is insufficient to cause health problems. This boggles the imagination, and is similar to the statement that “there is no conclusive evidence that sexual relations between a male and a female causes pregnancy or childbirth.” A perfect example of imaginary thinking in a fantasy world of make-believe. This represents yet another triumph of wishful thinking by the FDA.

Autopsy Studies – Dental Amalgams and Mercury Toxicity (6)

Dental amalgam is by far the main source of human total mercury body burden. This is proven by autopsy studies which found 2-12 times more mercury in body tissues of individuals with dental amalgams compared to controls. (6) Autopsy studies are important for examining the amalgam-caused mercury body burden. These autopsy studies have shown consistently that many individuals with amalgam have toxic levels of mercury in their brains or kidneys.(6)

Dental Amalgams Emit Mercury Vapor

Dental amalgams emit Mercury vapor which is then inhaled by the patient.(5)(28) (34) This inhaled mercury vapor can be recovered from various body fluids, such as saliva and urine. The amount of mercury recovered increases as the number of amalgams increases. Dr. Kingman’s report published in 1998 found that “Mercury concentrations in urine and whole blood were associated with amalgam exposure in a US military population.” (28)(34)

Mercury from Dental Amalgams is Considered Hazardous Waste

Mercury reclaimed from removal of dental amalgams in the dental office is a major source of environmental contamination. If allowed to go down the drain, the dental mercury enters the sewer system and contaminates the water table. Five states now require dental offices to obtain a permit which requires the use of a “separator” which separates out the mercury and prevents it from “going down the drain”. The reclaimed mercury is later removed from the dental office by a licensed disposal company. (15-21)

You might ask the obvious question: “How can mercury be so safe in dental fillings in my mouth, yet then be considered hazardous waste at the dental office?”

Perhaps you are starting to see the light.

Banned in Norway Sweden Denmark-

Mercury Dental Amalgams Banned in Scandanavia in 2008

In 2008, Dental Mercury use was banned in Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Norwegian Minister of the Environment Erik Solheim said , “Mercury is among the most dangerous environmental toxins. ” In Sweden, health insurance stopped paying for amalgam dental fillings in 1999. Instead, non mercury composites are readily available as material for dental fillings. from a Rueters press release. (22)

Banned in Canada

Canada- Dental Amalgams banned for children and pregnant women in 1996.

Health Effects of Exposure to Low Dose Mercury

Following exposure to mercury vapor, the earliest clinically observed adverse effects are tremor, psychological disorder and impaired nerve conduction velocity , irritability, fatigue and anorexia. Proteinuria has also been observed. (5)

Health Effect of Low Dose Mercury Toxicity on various organ systems (7)

Toxic effects of mercury on various organ systems are well known:

Nervous System of Adults:

Memory loss, including Alzheimer like dementia, deficit in attention, hypoesthesia, ataxia, dysarthrea, subclinical finger tremor, impairment of hearing and vision, sensory, disturbances, increased fatigue.

Nervous System of Children/infants :

Deficit in language (late talking) and memory deficit in attention, Autism

Motor system of Adults:

Disruption of fine motor function, decreased muscular strength, fatigue, tiredness

Motor System of Children/infants: Late walking

Renal system: Increases plasma creatinine level, renal impairment

Cardiovascular system:

Alters normal cardiovascular homoeostasis, Dilated Cardiomyopathy – Dr. Frustaci (8) . Atherosclerotic Coronary Artery Disease (9)

Immune system:

Decreases overall immunity of the body, exacerbates lupus like autoimmunity, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune thyroiditis or atopic eczema

Reproductive system: Decreases rate of fertility.

How to Test for Mercury – Merc-Out

An inexpensive and handy online testing service called Merc-Out is available.(10) They provide a home testing kit with instructions for a urine collection after taking a chelating capsule called DMPS. The urine sample is collected at home and then sent to Doctors’ Data Lab for analysis of mercury content. If high mercury levels are found, Merc-Out also offers a mercury detoxification program.(10) Go to the Merc Out web site to order the test kit.

Removing Dental Amalgams – What to Expect (29-31)

Most cases of mercury toxicity are caused by dental amalgams. Mercury testing with the provoked urine test (from Merc-Out) will show elevated mercury excretion in the urine. Removal of the dental amalgams will remove the exposure source, and after an initial increase of 30% in mercury excretion, the mercury body burdens will decrease to that of controls. The half life of mercury in the body is about 100 days.(29-31)

In 1994, Dr. Begerow published a study of urinary excretion of Mercury in 17 patients after removal of all dental amalgam fillings over 14 months.(31) This is what he found: “Before removal the urinary mercury, Mercury excretion correlated with the number of amalgam fillings. In the immediate post-removal phase (up to 6 days after removal) a mean increase of 30% in Mercury Excretion was observed. Within 12 months the geometric mean of the mercury excretion was reduced by a factor of 5 . After removal of dental amalgams the mean half-life was 95 days. These results show that the release of mercury from dental amalgam contributes predominantly to the mercury exposure of non-

occupationally exposed persons. The exposure from amalgam fillings thus exceeds the exposure from food, air and beverages. Within 12 months after removal of all amalgam fillings the participants showed substantially lower urinary mercury levels which were comparable to those found in subjects who have never had dental amalgam fillings. “(31)

Removing Dental Amalgams – The Mercury Free , Biologic Dentist

It is best to see a “biologic dentist” if you are contemplating removal of dental amalgams. A conventional dentist is not equipped or trained to do a proper job.

Two recommended “mercury free” biologic dentists in Tampa Bay area:

Dr. Ray Behm DDS
Dr. Jonathan Brombroz DDS

Author of this article:

Jeffrey Dach MD
7450 Griffin Road, Suite 190
Davie, Fl 33314
954-792-4663
www.jeffreydach.com